Where Are the Shammah’s?
08/07/25
When you look at the book of 2 Samuel in chapter 23 there is a man named Shammah. He is only mentioned a few times in scripture, but we know he was one of David's three mighty men. 2 Samuel 23:11-12 “And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.”
Ponder upon this for a minute. When others fled, Shammah took his stand in the midst of the plot, in the midst of the enemies and he defended it. What did he defend? He was not defending some peas for sure! This was about truth, righteousness, and peace and Shammah fought for it. He risked his own blood for it. He fought for something bigger than himself. This was a moment in which he was not thinking about the majority that was against him or what he could gain for himself or even getting killed for taking a stand to defend, because he knew he was warrior and real warriors don’t run, they fight for what is right. He knew it was his task, and he did it out of obedience to God and for the sake of God's people. You see if the Philistines gained the victory, then it would have brought about moral corruption for God’s people. So, in the midst of a war in which he could have been killed and while others ran away in fear, Shammah bravely took his stand. It then says the Lord had worked a great victory. Would this great victory have been seen if Shammah had taken off running like everyone else? No and corruption would have taken over, but because he was partnered with God and took his position God was able to bring about this great victory for both Shammah and His people.
What task has the Lord given you? What has God revealed to your heart that is important to His heart for you to partner with Him and defend? Has God called you to defend the innocent both unborn and born? Has God called you to defend the integrity of the marriage covenant? Has God called you to stand for truth and righteousness in the government, in the church, and in your family? Has God called you to the broken and to share hope with them? Have you taken your stand or are you thinking about the majority that is against you? Where are you right now? Are you in the midst of the plot for a purpose higher than yourself or are you running from the plot and your purpose? Are you doing something right now with what you have or are you waiting for what you think you need? Are you waiting for others to stand with you or have you understood your assignment and though alone you are standing bravely? Though Shammah was the minority he knew he was a warrior. Do you know that you are a warrior and called by God for a purpose bigger than yourself?
Often people think they must have a large following or a lot of money or a certain title to have influence and make a difference but really it just takes one courageous heart to take a stand on the word of God and to defend what is right in the eyes of God. It takes courage to take a stand when others are fleeing from truth and righteousness. To stand and defend something or someone when you are outnumbered requires integrity, trust, and obedience. However, like Shammah who had no one to stand with him or behind him, if you will accept the task the Lord has given you then you will also see the Lord work a great victory in your midst and the midst of your enemies. When you stand for God to be honored in the land then God will never allow you to be defeated. When you have God on your side the enemies are always outnumbered. Many have cried out to the Lord for help and for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven but when He looks upon the earth is He finding partners in position to bring great victories or is He finding people remaining silent, tolerating and even celebrating corruption, and running from Him because of fear of man? Where are the Shammah’s? Where are God’s warriors? Unrighteousness has raided the land just like the Philistines raided, but this is not the time to scatter like the Israelites and hide in caves. This is the time to come out of the cave. This is the time to rise, take your stand and defend righteousness. Ezra 10:4 says, “Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”
